I am wondering if it is possible for my neighbor to have done something to my computer that allows him to sit at HIS home and surf the internet and have these porn sites he visits, think that it is MY computer??? I am getting a lot of porn spam and TONS of pictures located in my temp internet files under these weird file names like ICKS56843654 (or some thing like that, as that is an example) I did a search for files and folders for the last month and typed in *.*jpg and found at least 500 images of porn that I don't look at. ( I am a girl, and these were girls! no, I am not gay.) No offense anyone...
ANYWAY... before I go off half cocked and yell at my neighbor, can this be what he has done??? I have heard him brag about downloading stuff from his job that he feels is untraceable and he has worked on my computer for me when it got a virus and needed upgrading, so he has had the opportunity.
Any ideas on this??? I sure would like to know.
Thanks!!!

Maybe this tool will help you:

Spybot Search & Destroy
http://patrick.kolla.de/spybotsd.html

(Install spybot, updated it , click the "Online" tab, then "Search for updates". You don't need to update the main program, and you can ignore language updates.)

Sure it's possible, especially if you gave him access to your PC. There are remote administration tools that he could have installed via floppy and then could take over your PC from afar.
That's what hackers do, like trojan programming.
Before you accuse him, try to determine if there are PROGRAMS on your PC that are visible that look suspicious to you. Check the PROPERTIES of the files (dates). Also, download and run SWAT IT from www.lockdowncorp.com
Trojans may be invisible to you, but none the less running on your PC.
As for the porn stuff, I've seen that before on peoples PC who have Hotmail and junk, and it SPAM stuff.
Also, you may want to consider a software FIREWALL like ZONE ALARM from www.zonelabs.com
The beginner version is FREE.

hi caryn,
go to www.thepublicworks.com security section and link to pcflank, and do a trojan and port test. if anything comes up positive such as a trojan and its corresponding port, link to simovits consulting and do a trojan search by name and or by file to get the appropriate info. then go to wilders.org and download a free 30 day trial of Trojan Hunter and do a full scan of your machine. that should do it. remember one thing: don't let anyone play around with your computer except for a qualified techie.
hope this helps, all the best,
murve

While working on your PC he may have surfed for porn and even given your E-mail address out.
Get the free SPIDER program from...
http://www.fsm.nl/ward/
This will show you what sites have been visited even if the history has been deleted (the details are stored in index.dat files).
If you find no history of porn sounding sites and if the pictures you deleted reappear then I would be worried.
See....
http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/29332.html
response No.2
Also...
If you go to START - RUN - then type MSINFO32 - press OK. This will bring up a page from the help files, in here click on the plus sign (+) next to SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT, then click on START UP. This will show you exactly what is running and what the programs are. If you list what progs you find, someone may spot the an offending item (key logger etc).
For a better explanation of what these programs are see....
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm
Any programs you can't identify at the above site, try a Google search and/or post back here.

Although it is possible that this person put something on your machine b4 he cannot be surfing from *his* comp and have the files show up in *your* temp internet files. If you are the only one who uses this computer perhaps he is just copying pics into that directory...

I would suggest finding this person's IP address and install firewall software (or better yet hardware...) and check the logs and see if that IP is trying to connect. Or if the firewall can't stop him try using the netstat command and it will tell you what ports are connected to whom.

Heres my guess.. Your downloading garbage with kazaa or one of the other p2p's and you have become infected with something or other and some guy thousands of miles away is using your machine for storage.

Or.. someone else who uses your computer like an older brother, uncle or father is surfing for porn while your away.

Heres my advice.. Go to an online virus scanner and scan your machine. Do whatever is neccesary to rid your machine of infection if you are in fact infected. Install current antivirus software and get the updated definitions. Install a firewall. Refrain from visiting any warez sites or downloading from p2p's.

ShutMeUpOrDown:)
Do you think UPNP could be installed on Caryn's PC ?
http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/942.html

I think UPNP is part of windows. Its something that GRC says can be exploited and as far as i know its not needed by 99.9% of PC users.

I really dont know. Im no security expert. I just know the kiss method.. Keeping it simple. Not to say that its not possible for her neighbor to be compimising her PC. Anythings possible. I realised this when i started getting email from myself :).

Everyone i know whos being "hacked" has downloaded a virus themselves.

boy oh boy well first of all get a free firewall. zonealarm, sygate something first to block any spyware from accessing the internet. then try something that has a huge data base for spyware like the cleaner from moosoft.com or tauscan. i've tried some of the programs listed above and they weren't able to detect all of the spyware i tested